Pollinator of the Month: Hummingbird moths (Hemaris sp.)

Hummingbird moths belong to the genus Hemaris, with their common name coming from their ability to mimic hummingbirds. Hummingbird clearwings are active during the day like hummingbirds, which is rare among members of the sphinx moth family (Sphingidae). Furthermore, the range of hummingbird moths and hummingbirds is similar. They both hover above flowers to feed on nectar, either using their long proboscis or beak to reach nectar that is typically inaccessible to other pollinators. They can both hover due to beating their wings incredibly fast: a hummingbird averages 50 beats per second and a hummingbird moth averages 85 beats per second. They even produce a humming sound.

Hummingbird moths also mimic the appearance of hummingbirds, which often gets them mistaken for hummingbirds. They have large bodies that tend to be, at least in part, red-brown in colour. They have clear wings with red-brown borders and veins. The males also use hairs to mimic the flared tails of hovering hummingbirds. However, hummingbird moths are much smaller, at about 1-1/2” long.

There are two species of hummingbird moths commonly found in Alberta, the hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) and snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis). Hummingbird clearwings have a red-brown abdomen and pale legs, whereas snowberry clearwings normally have yellow and black colouration with black legs and a black line running down their sides and eyes.

To reproduce, the females will release a pheromone that attracts the males. The females will then lay small, round, green eggs on the underside of leaves of the plants that the larvae feed on. These plants include honeysuckle, snowberry, hawthorns, cherries and plums, and European cranberry bush. The larvae are yellowish green with a tail spike. They pupate in a thin cocoon in the leaf litter. They overwinter in this stage and emerge as butterflies in the spring. Depending on the conditions, hummingbird moths may produce two or one brood per year. In warmer conditions they produce two broods from March to June then August to October, while there is only one brood in the colder conditions of the north, which occurs from April to August.

To attract these native pollinators into your yard try planting phlox, beebalm, honeysuckle, verbena, lilac, and snowberries. These are some of the flowers that hummingbird moths are attracted to. Also, avoid raking your leaves in the fall as this will kill any individuals overwintering in your yard.

A snowberry clearwing is pictured here.

Publicado el agosto 23, 2024 11:53 TARDE por kiarra13